Latch.



G. D. REBVE & H. A. HALL. LATCH. APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 17, 1909.

9%9343, Patented Feb. 22, 1910.

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CHARLES D. REEVE, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, AND HARRY A. HALL, OF NEWCASTLE, INDIANA.

LATCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 22, 1910.

Application filed March 17, 1909. Serial No. 484,030.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES D. REnvE, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Grand Rapids, county of Kent, and State of Michigan, and HARRY A. HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Newcastle, county of Henry, and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Latches, 1

door and 2 a door casing, the latch being of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in latches.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improved latch which is adapted for use on a right or left hand opening door. Second, to provide an improved latch in which the parts are very simple and economical to produce and easily assembled, and one which, though made of comparatively light material, is very strong and durable. Third, to provide in a latch,

an improved strike which may be readily adjusted to meet the requirements of the particular position in which it is to be used.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

We accomplish the objects of our invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of our invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure l is a detail front elevation of a structure embodying the features of our invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof looking from the left of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan of our improved latch with parts broken away. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail taken on a line corresponding to line 4:& of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 55 of Fig. 8. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section of the strike taken on a line corresponding to line 6-6 of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is an inverted plan of a modified structure, the modification being in the form of the spring and the head of the bolt. Fig. 8 is an inverted plan of a further modification, a substantially straight spring being here utilized. Fig. 9 is an inverted plan of a further modification in the spring and its connection to the latch bolt. Fig. 10 is an inverted plan view of a still further modification in the spring and its connection to the latch bolt.

In the drawings, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents a shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 in its operative relation. The latch plate 3 is provided with j an inwardly-projecting flange 4: at its edges. These are preferably formed of an integral sheet metal stamping and constitute the latch casing. On one side the flange 4 is provided with a slot 5, the inner edge of the slot being located in substantially the same plane as the inner edge of the latch plate, as clearly appears from Fig. 5 of the drawmg.

The latch plate is provided with suitable holes 6 to receive the screws, as 7 by which the casing is secured to the door. The latch bolt 8 is secured on the inner end of the stem 9 of the knob 10, so that it rests against the inside of the latch plate. The latch bolt 8 is arranged through the slot 5 in the latch plate flange 4, the ends 11 of the slot forming stops for the bolt. The slot 5 is of such width that its edges serve as guides or supports for the bolt. It will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 3 that the bolt is free to swing in either direction from its central or normal position.

The inner end of the bolt is preferably enlarged and curved inwardly to provide a seat 12 for the spring 13. The spring 13 is preferably provided with a curved portion adapted to rest in the seat and with V- shaped portions 14 at each side of the bolt, thus increasing the length of the spring and also by engagement with the bolt, assisting in retaining the spring in position.

The bolt is preferably provided with a spring retaining lug 15 which projects over the spring and coaots with the internal lugs 16 on the latch plate flange for retaining the spring in position, the spring being preferably provided with upturned ends 17 which engage these lugs, as clearly appears from Fig. 3.

By thus forming the parts, they are easily assembled and retained in their assembled position without any necessity of riveting the spring or securing it in any way except through the flange. The comparatively long spring is also secured so that the strain thereon from the operation of the bolt is comparatively slight. By this arrangement, the bolt is held yieldingly in its central or normal position, and it may be applied either to a right or left hand opening door, and also that it will engage the keeper when the same is placed in an upright, or an inverted position, as may be desired. We preferably provide in this connection an improved keeper, consisting of a base plate 18, having an outwardly projecting slotted arm 19 thereon. This arm is provided with a flange 20 on one edge. The keeper 21 is arranged to rest on this flange and is adjustably secured to the arm by the screw 22, which is arranged through the slot to engage the keeper.

In the modified structure shown in Fig. 7, the ends of the spring 23 are conformed to the ends of the base plate flange so that the spring is retained without the aid of any retaining lugs on the ball of the flange. This style of spring is preferably formed of fiat wire.

In the modified construction shown in Fig. 8, a substantially straight spring Qt is made use of. This spring is secured at its ends by lugs 16, substantially as in the structure shown in Fig. 3, it being arranged across the head of the latch bolt, which is provided with a pair of upwardly projecting lugs 25 against which the spring bears. This modification is of advantage on account of its simplicity of construction.

In the modification shown in Fig. 9, the spring 26 is secured to the inner end of the latch bolt by means of a lug 27, the lug being so disposed relative to the pivot of the latch bolt that the bolt is held in a central position. The outer end of the spring is curved to engage the flange of the latch plate.

In the modified construction shown in Fig. 10, a straight spring 28 is provided, one end being secured to the flange by means of a pair of inturned lugs, as 29, and the other being connected to the bolt by a pair of upwardly projecting lugs 80. This spring is connected to the bolt centrally relative to the bolt pivot so that the bolt is held yieldingly in its central position. The structure shown in Figs. 3, 7 and 8, however, have the advantage of this construction in that comparatively long springs are there secured, although the latch plate is of small dimensions.

Our improved latch is very economical to produce, as the parts may be made of light material, and, at the same time, it is very strong and durable. The parts, with the exception of the spring, may be made of sheet metal stampings, three only being required, thus making the latch very inexpensive in the matter of material. At the same time, the structure is attractive in appearance and very desirable for the purposes intended.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

1. The combination with a casing, comprising a latch plate having an inwardly projecting flange at its edges, said flanges having a slot therein at one side, and inturned spring retaining lugs thereon; a pivoted latch bolt provided with a spring retaining lug at its inner end, the inner end of said bolt being inwardly curved, said bolt being arranged through said slot in said flange, the ends of which serve as stops therefor; and a spring having a central curved portion to engage the curved inner end of said bolt, V-shaped portions at each side of said bolt, said spring being arranged under said lug on said bolt and having upturned ends arranged to engage said spring retaining lugs on said flange, whereby said spring is retained and said bolt is held yieldingly in position.

2. The combination with a casing, comprising a. latch plate having an inwardly projecting flange at its edges, said flange having a slot therein at one side, and inturned spring retaining lugs thereon; a pivoted latch bolt provided with a spring retaining lug at its inner end, said bolt being arranged through said slot in said flange, the ends of which serve as stops therefor; and a spring arranged under said lug on said bolt and having upturned ends arranged to engage said spring retaining lugs on said flange, whereby said spring is retained and said bolt is held yieldingly in position.

3. The combination with a casing, comprising a latch plate having an inwardly projecting flange at its edges, said flange having inturned retaining lugs thereon; a pivoted latch bolt provided with a spring retaining lug at its inner end, the inner end of said bolt being inwardly curved; and a spring having a central curved portion to engage the curved inner end of said bolt, V- shaped portions at each side of said bolt, said spring being arranged under said lug on said bolt and having upturned ends arranged to engage said spring retaining lugs on said flange, whereby said spring is retained and said bolt is held yieldingly in position. 7

4. The combination with a casing, comprising a latch plate having an inwardly projecting flange at its edges, said flange having inturned spring retaining l'ugs thereon; a pivoted latch bolt provided with a spring retaining lug at its inner "end; and a spring arranged under said lugs on said bolt and having upturned ends arranged to engage said spring retaining lugs on said flange, whereby said spring is retained and said bolt is held yieldingly in position.

5. The combination with a casing, comprising a latch plate having an inwardly projecting flange at its edges, said flange having a slot therein at one side, and inturned spring retaining lugs thereon; a pivoted latch bolt provided with a spring retaining lug at its inner end, said bolt being arranged through said slot in said flange, the ends of which serve as stops therefor; and a spring arranged to engage the said bolt, said spring being arranged under said lug on said latch bolt and said spring retaining lugs on said flange, whereby said spring is retained and said bolt 1s held yieldingly in position.

6. A combination with a casing, c01npris ing a latch plate, having an inwardly projecting flange at its edges, said flange having a slot therein at one side; a pivoted latch bolt, the inner end of said bolt being curved inwardly, said bolt being arranged through said slot in said flange, the ends of which serve as stops therefor; and a spring having a central curved portion to engage the curved inner end of said bolt and V-shaped at each side of said bolt, the ends of said spring being arranged to engage said flange whereby said spring is retained and said bolt is held yieldingly in position.

7. A combination with a casing, comprising a latch plate, having an inwardly projecting flange at its edges; a pivoted latch bolt, the inner end of said bolt being curved inwardly; and a spring having a central curved portion to engage the curved inner end of said bolt and V-shaped at each side of said bolt, the ends of said spring being arranged to engage said flange whereby said spring is retained and said bolt is held yieldingly in position.

8. The combination with a casing, comprising a latch plate having an inwardly projecting flange at its edges, said flange having a slot therein at one side, and in turned spring retaining lugs thereon; a pivoted latch bolt with a spring retaining lug at its inner end, the inner end of said bolt being inwardly curved, said bolt being arranged through said slot in said flange, the ends of which serve as stops therefor; and a spring arranged to engage the said bolt, for applying tension thereto, said spring being retained in position by said lugs on said bolt and flange.

9. A combination with a casing, comprising a latch plate having an inwardly projecting flange at its edges, said flange having a slot therein at one side; a pivoted latch bolt arranged through said slot in said flange, the ends of which serve as stops therefor; and a spring arranged to engage the said bolt, and with its ends engaging said flange, whereby said bolt is held yieldingly in position.

10. A combination with a casing, comprising a latch plate having an inwardly projecting flange at its edges; a pivoted latch bolt; and a spring arranged in bearing engagement with said bolt, and with its ends engaging said flange, said bolt having two points of fulcrum on said spring whereby said bolt is held yieldingly in position.

11. The combination with a casing comprising a latch plate and having an inwardly-projecting flange at its edges, said flange having a slot therein at one side; a pivoted latch bolt arranged through said slot in said flange, the ends of which serve as stops therefor; and a spring connected to said latch bolt and to said casing whereby said latch bolt is yieldingly held in a central position said stops being spaced to limit the movement of said bolt and prevent the disengagement of said spring therewith.

12. The combination with a casing comprising a latch plate having an inwardlyprojecting flange at its edges, said casing being an integral sheet metal stamping of a pivoted latch bolt; a spring therefor, said latch bolt and said flange being provided with spring-retaining lugs whereby said spring is retained in position said lugs being formed by turning inwardly portions of said flange.

13. The combination with a casing, comprising a latch plate having an inwardlyprojecting flange at its edges, said flange having a slot therein at one side, a pivoted latch bolt arranged through said slot, the

ends of said slot being adapted to serve as stops therefor; a spring arranged in bearing engagement with said latch bolt and. adapted to hold it yieldingly in a central position, said stops being located so as to prevent the disengagement of said bolt and spring.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES D. REEVE. [Ls] HARRY A. HALL. [1,. s] Vitness the signature of Charles D. Reeve:

H. M. BUTELSON, P. G. PECKHAM.

J. M. QUINN, J. A. RoYER. 

